Film organisations

a

This section presents an overview of the major German film associations and organisations. This section does not include organisations, facilities or events that have a separate section dedicated to them in this Film Guide (such as festivals or film schools).

This overview is a work in progress, and we are updating it continually.

A | B | C | D | F | G | H | I | K | S | V

A

Maintains a video library for the deaf and hearing-impaired and produces television films to raise awareness of the situation of the disabled among a wide audience. Managing director: Peter Radtke.
www.abm-medien.de

Established in 1980, bringing together more than 750 documentary filmmakers. Its mission is to ensure that the documentary genre receives the attention it deserves, providing support in the production phase (including assistance with legal issues) and working to arrange television broadcasts and screenings at festivals. Today, no public debate on film issues would be conceivable without the involvement of this association. It also provides knowledgable commentary on developments in film and television policy. It presents German documentary films at festivals (including events outside Germany). A database is maintained to provide information on films produced by the members. Chairman: Thomas Frickel, C. Cay Wesnigk.
www.agdok.de

A network of independent commercial cinemas, preceded by "AG Kino" (formed in 1972) and "Gilde deutscher Filmkunsttheater" (German Arthouse Cinema Guild – formed in 1953). The membership comprises 307 cinema operators with 544 screens. They meet at the Filmmesse, a film trade fair in Leipzig to view and evaluate new films. A special Website shows the updated programmes of the member cinemas.
www.ag-kino.de

The Arbeitsgemeinschaft Spielfilm (Feature Film Workgroup) succeeded the "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Neuer Deutscher Spielfilm-Produzenten," a group of young producers and directors formed in the 1960s as a countermovement to the "established industry." Today its members include the majority of film producers. Its objective is to improve the filmmaking environment – financially, legally and in terms of government film policy – for productions intended both for television and the cinema. The group has always exerted a strong influence on German film subsidy legislation and amendments. Management Board: Oliver Berben, Alfred Hürmer, Eberhard Junkersdorf, Uschi Reich, Stefan Schubert.
www.ag-spielfilm.de

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B

Provides operating facilities for young film producers, with fully equipped offices, support in all phases of film production, information and training programmes, support with film subsidy issues and preparation of funding applications. Managing directors: Klaus Schaefer, Christiane M. Conradi.
www.filmzentrum-bayern.de

Berlin Film Association, founded in 1974 by independent filmmakers based in Berlin. Establishes contacts between its members, fosters new projects and invites to panels on the politics of the media. Takes influence on the promotion of cinema as culture.
www.baf-berlin.de

Supports film-related activities for (and with) children and teens. The organisation operates a film rental service, conducts seminars and publishes film books.
www.bjf.info

A professional association for cinematographers (and camera assistants). Formed in 1980, the organisation publishes an annual "Camera Guide" with data on all members. President: Falko Ahsendorf.
www.bvkamera.org

Umbrella organisation for municipal cinemas in Germany (160 cinemas). Operates a small film distribution operation and puts together series. It also publishes a journal, "kinema kommunal" and awards two prizes at the Berlin Film Festival: the Caligari Prize (for a film on the programm of the International Forum of New Cinema) and the Lilput Prize (for films noteworthy for their good or bad dubbing or subtitles). Another publication is the "Handbuch kulturelle Kinoarbeit" (a loose-leaf collection of practical tips and explanations on the key areas of culture-oriented cinema). The governing body is comprised of Ulrich Gregor, Hilmar Hoffmann, Peter W. Jansen, Wim Wenders. Chairman: Ute Mader.
www.kommunale-kinos.de

Established in 1975 as "Bundesverband der Fernseh- und Film-Regisseure in Deutschland" (Federal Association of Television and Film Directors in Germany). A professional association committed to the artistic, social, legal and economic interests of filmmakers. 682 members. Publishes a "Regie Guide" (Directors' Guide). Managing director: Steffen Schmidt-Hug.
www.regieverband.de

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C

Berlin-Brandenburg Centre for Film Research. Founded in 1991. Promotes research on German film and publishes "Filmblatt," a research journal.
www.filmblatt.de

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D

Founded in 2003 to pool the creative forces in the German film world (comparable to the academies in Hollywood, Paris or London, for example).
Its objectives include serving as a "virtual textbook for students and teachers" and awarding the German Film Prizes (the "Lola" awards) (as of 2005).
President: Senta Berger, Günter Rohrbach.
Chairman: Stefan Arndt.
www.deutsche-filmakademie.de

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F

Institution operated by the governments of the federal states. Established in 1951, it awards ratings of "valuable" and "highly valuable." In some states, these ratings lead to tax breaks or improved eligibility for film subsidies under federal legislation. The centre charges a screening fee to films submitted for ratings. Administrative director: Steffen Wolf.
www.f-b-w.org

In the Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz. Home of the Deutsche Film- und Fernseh-Akademie Berlin, the Filmmuseum Berlin - Deutsche Kinemathek and the Kino Arsenal.

Joint initiative of several groups working with film in Munich. "For the many nationalities living in Munich, we want to provide access to their authentic film culture." Head of the initiative: Ulla Wessler.
www.filmstadt-muenchen.de

Joint initiative of several film funding bodies and film foundations with the objective of presenting and representing German cinema abroad, for instance at the festival in Cannes.
www.focusgermany.de

Association dedicated to the promotion of German children's films. It supports ongoing production and widespread distribution of children's films in Germany.
www.kinderfilm-online.de

Established in 1949 by the film industry with the objective of evaluating films (including videos or DVDs) intended for public screenings. The approval of a film assures cinemas that legal action against a film is highly unlikely – although FSK approval is not binding for public attorneys or the courts. Films can also be approved subject to the removal of certain scenes. In addition, the FSK decides on the release of films for young audiences. FSK ratings are subject to screening fees.
www.fsk.de

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G

"The national information and advisory center for the promotion of German films worldwide" (Website). The activities of German Films focus on raising the profile of German films abroad through information services, PR activities and modern marketing strategies. The emphasis is on feature films, but the organisation has also handled documentaries, shorts and made-for-TV productions since 2004. It is also the point of contact for international festivals that want to include German films on their programmes. A journal, "German Films Quarterly", reports on German films in general and on specific films and projects. An online database provides information on films and brief descriptions of major festivals in Germany and abroad. German films maintains offices in Argentina, France, the UK, Italy, Japan, Spain and the USA. Managing director: Christian Dorsch.
www.german-cinema.de

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H

An independent institute (founded in 1991), dedicated to "collecting, researching and promoting German and international film and television documentaries." For this purpose, the centre maintains a video library, currently with approximately 7000 films from classics of the genre to current television productions (which cannot be loaned for legal reasons, however). An online database allows users to research the films. The centre publishes brochures and books on documentary film. A three-volume German-languagework, "Geschichte des dokumentarischen Films in Deutschland 1895 bis 1945" (History of Documentary Film in Germany – 1895–1945) is currently in preparation. Chairman: Egon Mayer, Managing Director: Wilhelm Reschl.
www.hdf.de

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I

The Institute for Film and Images in Research and Teaching (FWU) was founded in 1950 by the German federal states to produce and make available audiovisual media for educational purposes, both in schools and elsewhere. Director: Uwe Haass.
www.fwu.de

The "Institute for Media in Teaching – Research and Practice" was founded in 1949 at the initiative of Martin Keilhacker.
www.jff.de

Central service institute for the documentation and searching of media for research and teaching.
www.iwf.de

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K

Association to promote films for children and teens.
Headed by Hans and Christel Strobel, Münchner Kinderkino has become a model for the sensible use of films to entertain and educate children. The organisation has access to a cinema for regular film presentations (at the Munich Olympic Centre), and hosts an annual festival of children's and teen films.
It also publishes the journal "Kinder- und Jugendfilm Korrespondenz."
www.kjk-muenchen.de

Central office for the coordination and initiation of various activities related to films for children and young people. The list "Best of 2005" advises films for children and young people, released, in 2005, on dvd or video (also online accessible).
www.kjf.de
Best Of 2005

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S

Founded in 1950 in Wiesbaden to represent the interests of the German film business (and later the television and video business). This umbrella organisation has 16 industry associations as members, including the professional associations representing film producers, distributors and cinemas. It offers an index of titles and operates a statistical department. Managing director: Helmut Possmann.
www.spio.de

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V

Professional association bringing together more than 250 film critics and film journalists. It is active as a film policy lobby group and is represented in film funding bodies. Colloquia take place at regular intervals. Each year it selects winners of the German Film Critics' Awards (in various categories).
www.filmkritiker.org

Represents the interests of women in the film industry. The association was founded in 1979, and organises screenings and discussions, primarily in Berlin.
www.verbandderfilmarbeiterinnen.de